New Lesson Schedule

Below is our newest lesson schedule from the stake. We are so grateful for the comments you sisters give in Relief Society - it is wonderful to have a room full of teachers, so to speak. As you contribute the insights you receive as you study the lessons, the Holy Ghost is able to teach us all. Thank you!

The first Sunday is the Relief Society Presidency message. The Second and third weeks are taught from the manual Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Fielding Smith. The fourth Sunday is taught from the most recent general conference Ensign. Fifth Sundays are taught by the bishopric.

June
1     Presidency Message
8     #11 Honoring the Priesthood Keys...
15   #12 The Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood
22   “What Manner of Men?” -Elder Hallstrom,
       “Love - the Essence of the Gospel” -President Monson, and
      “Are You Sleeping through the Restoration?” -President Uchtdorf
29   Bishop's Message

July
6     Presidency Message
13   #13 Baptism
20   #14 The Gift of the Holy Ghost
27   "Roots and Branches" - Elder Cook,
       "Spiritual Whirlwinds" - Elder Anderson, and
       "Protection from Pornography"- Linda Reeves

August
3     Presidency Message
10   #15 Eternal Marriage
17   #16 Bringing up Children in Light and Truth
24   "Your Four Minutes" - Bishop Stevenson, and
       "The Witness" - President Packer
31   Bishop's Message

September
7     Presidency Message
14   #17 Sealing Power and Temple Blessings
21   #18 Living by Every Word That Proceeds from the Mouth of God
28  "The Cost - and Blessings - of Discipleship" - Elder Holland, and
      "Following Up" - Elder Ballard

October
5     General Conference
12   #19 In the World but Not of the World
19   #20 Love and Concern for All Our Father's Children
26   Stake Conference

November
2     Presidency Message
9     #21 Proclaiming the Gospel to the World
16   #22 Prayer - a Commandment and a Blessing

Sugar Scrub Recipe

At February's evening activity we made sugar scrubs to remind us that we should prepare our hands and hearts to do the Lord's work.

Ingredients:
1/4 Cup Sugar
1 -2 Tbs. Liquid Hand Soap (depending on thickness of soap you're using. Just add slowly till it's the desired thickness)
Tiny bit of Olive Oil (just to add some moisture to your hands)

Mix together well and store in an airtight container. Ingredients tend to separate over time - just mix well before using. Massage scrub into wet hands, rinse well, and enjoy!

February Evening Activity

We had a great night full of fun and getting to know our sisters better! Sarah and Belinda put together a challenging and fun game of Jeopardy. Sarah makes a good Alex, don't you think?

After our game, we all had a chance to make a sugar scrub for ourselves. It is important to prepare our hands and hearts to do the work of the Lord. President Monson says it best: "We are the Lord's hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and lift His children."

We also made cards for the sisters we visit teach. Sometimes just a small note is a great way to lift those around us..it doesn't have to be elaborate (though some people made some really cute cards)!

And of course, it's not a church function without food :) We love it when the sister missionaries join us!

January 5, 2014 – Lesson Summary


Teacher-- Sister Macugay

Sister M gave out two handouts to be discussed among the sisters.

#1 The Importance of Faith. This hand out referenced Hebrews 11:21 and asked,
"What is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ?" and "In what ways can it improve your
life?". Next was Alma32:20 and the question, "How does God help us gain faith.

Then 2Nephi31:6; 3Nephi 12:6; Ether12:27,41 followed by the question, "How can
increasing your faith in God give you power to bless the lives of others?"

The sisters replied saying that faith is an action word which requires us to
obey if we desire to have an increase in faith.

 #2 Elements of Faith which had quotes from "Seek Learning by Faith" and Joshua
3:7-17. The question was asked, "What action was needed for the River Jordan to
be crossed?"

Joshua used his faith in the Lord to communicate (action) to his people what was
needed to cross the river and the priests carrying the Ark had to have the faith
to make that first step (action) into the flood waters but nothing was going to
happen until their faith was made into an action.

Sister M then asked the sisters for ideas to increase their faith.

 Responses included: 1) start with little things and your confidence will
increase, it is a spiral upwards, 2) works will increase our faith but we have
to do our part first, 3) we sometimes forget that it is after all we can do that
we are then saved ( Alma 32:20), 4) keep reading the scriptures esp. the Book of
Mormon, faith increases congruent to our reading the scriptures, and 5) make
small goals which will lead to larger goals.

The lesson ended with a challenge to read all of the conference talks from the
last conference with a hand out to help us remember and a dinner in April to
celebrate doing so.

2014 Curriculum and Lesson Schedule

Here is the lesson schedule for January and February of 2014. The 1st Sunday of the month is the Relief Society Presidency Message, the 2nd and 3rd Sundays are taught from our new manual, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Fielding Smith, and the 4th Sunday is a message from the most recent general conference. As a side note, in Sunday School they will be studying the Old Testament this year (link to the study guide here).

We will continue to include links to the lessons in the weekly updates, but thought it might be helpful to have it all in one place so you can be prepared for the upcoming lessons. It is so wonderful on Sundays to hear your thoughts and comments on the things you have pondered throughout the week!

Jan 5 – Presidency Lesson

Jan 12 - Ch. 1 Our Father in Heaven

Jan 19 - Ch. 2 Our Savior

Jan 26 - Come Join with Us - Uchtdorf

Feb 2 - Presidency Lesson

Feb 9 - Ch. 3 The Plan of Salvation

Feb 16 - Ch. 4 Strengthening and Preserving the Family

Feb 23 - Ward Conference - no RS lesson

Updated 2013 Lesson Schedule

Here is an updated lesson schedule for the remainder of the year.

Date		Lesson
3-Nov-13		Presidency Message
10-Nov-13		Manual 21 Loving God More Than We Love the World
17-Nov-13		Manual 22 Doing Good To Others
24-Nov-13		Stake Conference
1-Dec-13		Presidency Message
8-Dec-13		Manual 23 The Prophet Joseph Smith
15-Dec-13		Manual 24 Reflections on the Mission of Jesus Christ
22-Dec-13		TFOT: Hastening the Lord's game plan    S.G. Nielson
29-Dec-13		Combined RS/Priesthood

Family Home Evening Ideas and Helps

Wondering what to do for Family Home Evening? Here are some helpful links provided by Sister Jeanie Morris that were previously available in the sidebar.

lds.org FHE Ideas
Family Home Evening Ideas for 0-5 Year Olds
101 Family Home Evening Activities
Ideas for Organizing FHE Files
100 Family Home Evening Activities
Family Home Evening Complete Lesson Plans
LDS Living

Family History Research Helps

The church has lots of information on Family History at lds.org, and here are some additional links provided by Sister Jeanie Morris that were previously available in the sidebar. If you would like to watch the videos on how to get started on FamilySearch click here.

How To Get Started

Lessons To Help You With Your Family History

Free BYU Online Courses

Search Tool: Heritage Quest Online Library Service for Census Records (Library Card Required)

Search Tool: Family Search Online Search Tool

Search Tool: US Genweb Good Resource for Locations

Form for Tracking your Research and How and Why to Track Your Research

Our Local Family History Center
Address: 5912 S 12th Street, Tacoma, Washington
Phone: 253-564-1103
Hours
Monday: 9 am to 4 pm
Tues, Wed & Thurs: 9 am to 9 pm
Fri & Sat: 9 am to 5 pm
Closed: Major Holidays, Saturdays for Conference and when schools are closed for snow

September Spotlight

September 2013 Spotlight:

  

 

5 Fun Facts:

1. I would rather take pictures.
2. I am a country person
3. "What's free time?"
4. My favorite item of clothing is a sweater because it's comfy.
5. I feel pretty old right now.

Garden Party

The Garden Party delayed start was a good choice.  Due to the  poor weather the party was delayed and we ended up with a beautiful evening.  Good company, good food, good message, an all around uplifting evening.